Disclaimer - I'm going to suggest stuff that I peddle. I'm a Quad fan, and have tried hard to find more "conventional" speakers that do some of the same things right.
You might want to consider the Gradient Revolutions. The designer, Jorma Salmi, used Quad 63's as his reference speaker, and the Revolutions are among the few conventional-looking speakers this planarhead could live with. They are a dipole up to 200 Hz, and then have a cardioid-approximating response above that point. A new pair retails for $4995, but I saw a used pair for sale at this site for $1795. This is an absolute steal for these speakers. I have no connection with the seller.
I'm a previous Quad 57 and 63 owner, an ATC dealer, and have friends who own Merlins.
In my experience the Revolutions prefer a fairly lively-sounding high-current amplifier, so a tube amp might not be the best match.
One other possible follow-up is the Omega line. These high efficiency single-driver speakers are also reminiscent of the Quads, especially the "R" versions. They tend to be somewhat rolled off in the bass region, so a subwoofer might well be needed if you can't get adequate bass lift from boundary reinforcement. Single-ended triode, OTL, and low powered push-pull tube amps work well with the Omegas.
Gradient's website: www.gradient.fi
Omega's website: www.omegaloudspeakers.com
Best of luck to you,
Duke
You might want to consider the Gradient Revolutions. The designer, Jorma Salmi, used Quad 63's as his reference speaker, and the Revolutions are among the few conventional-looking speakers this planarhead could live with. They are a dipole up to 200 Hz, and then have a cardioid-approximating response above that point. A new pair retails for $4995, but I saw a used pair for sale at this site for $1795. This is an absolute steal for these speakers. I have no connection with the seller.
I'm a previous Quad 57 and 63 owner, an ATC dealer, and have friends who own Merlins.
In my experience the Revolutions prefer a fairly lively-sounding high-current amplifier, so a tube amp might not be the best match.
One other possible follow-up is the Omega line. These high efficiency single-driver speakers are also reminiscent of the Quads, especially the "R" versions. They tend to be somewhat rolled off in the bass region, so a subwoofer might well be needed if you can't get adequate bass lift from boundary reinforcement. Single-ended triode, OTL, and low powered push-pull tube amps work well with the Omegas.
Gradient's website: www.gradient.fi
Omega's website: www.omegaloudspeakers.com
Best of luck to you,
Duke